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Parallel Progress: US-Taiwan Relations During an Era of Cross-Strait Rapprochement

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Abstract

This study examines the progress in US-Taiwan relations during an era of cross-Strait rapprochement. In order to place the issue in the proper historical context, the paper begins with a brief overview of bilateral relations during the administration of President Chen Shui-bian (2000-2008). The study next discusses improvements in Taipei’s relations with Beijing and shows how Washington supports the cross-Strait rapprochement. In conclusion, the author suggests that, despite arguments to the contrary, it is clear that US-Taiwan relations have moved forward in parallel with improvements in Taiwan-Chinese mainland relations since 2008.

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Notes

  1. For example, one analyst has argued that “Taiwan’s [economic] reliance on China sours relations with the US” and that some analysts “propose that the US should consider abandoning Taiwan because of Taiwan’s pro-China stance.” See Ricky Yeh, “Over Dependence on China Will Doom Taiwan,” The Diplomat, August 16, 2014 on the world wide web at http://thediplomat.com/2014/08/over-dependence-on-china-will-doom-taiwan/. Another complains that “China-Taiwan relations are at a high point and U.S.-Taiwan relations virtually non-existent.” See Daniel Blumenthal, “Rethinking US Foreign Policy Toward Taiwan,” Foreign Policy, March 2, 2011, on the world wide web at http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/03/02/rethinking-u-s-foreign-policy-towards-taiwan/. There are numerous other examples of politicians, political activists, and bloggers claiming American ties with Taiwan have fractured.

  2. Phillip Yang, Professor of Political Science at National Taiwan University made this observation. See Allen T. Cheng, “Independence Movement Feels the Heat,” South China Morning Post January 28, 2004, p.6, in Lexis/Nexis.

  3. Jane Rickards, “MOFA Slams China for Blocking WHO Bid,” China Post (International Airmail Edition), May 19, 2004, p.4.

  4. Jay Chen, “Taiwan-US Ties Have Never Been Stronger, US Congressman,” Central News Agency, January 10, 2003, in Lexis/Nexis.

  5. See Frank Ching, “Chen Steps on Toes of Washington and Beijing,” New Straits Times (Malaysia), May 13, 2004, p.10, in Lexis/Nexis and “Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Optimistic About Ties with US,” Asia Pulse, December 29, 2004, in Lexis/Nexis.

  6. Susan Lawrence and Jason Dean, “A New Threat,” Far Eastern Economic Review, December 18, 2003, on the world wide web at www.feer.com.

  7. W.C. Lin and P.C. Tang, “US Cross-Strait Policy Remains Unchanged: State Department,” Central News Agency, October 25, 2004, in Lexis/Nexis.

  8. Ibid.

  9. Ibid.

  10. David Chang, “Scholars See Shift in US Policy as Big Blow to Taiwan Separatists,” Deutsche Presse- Agentur, October 27, 2004, in Lexis/Nexis.

  11. Testimony of Representative James A.Leach (R.-Iowa) in China’s Anti-Secession Law and Developments Across the Taiwan Strait, Hearing of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee, April 6, 2005, Federal News Service, in Lexis/Nexis.

  12. Ibid., p.29.

  13. A series of unfortunate incidents and diplomatic gaffes precipitated Therese Shaheen’s “forced departure” as chairwoman of the AIT. For more information, see Frank Ching, “Fallen Angel or Devil in Disguise?” South China Morning Post, April 13, 2004, p.12, in Lexis/Nexis.

  14. See Ralph Cossa, “Taiwan’s Three No’s,” Korea Times, February 1, 2008, on the world wide web at http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2008/02/137_18355.html

  15. Flexible diplomacy is designed to improve Taipei’s relations with Beijing while simultaneously strengthening ties with foreign governments. An important part of it is the “diplomatic truce” whereby Beijing and Taipei agree to stop poaching each other’s diplomatic allies. For more information, see “President Ma Defines ‘Flexible Diplomacy,’ China Post, November 11, 2008, on the world wide web at http://www.chinapost.com.tw/print/182601.htm.

  16. Under the “1992 Consensus,” both Taipei and Beijing appear to accept the principle of “one China,” but each side holds its own interpretation of what that means.

  17. See Kit Tang, “While HK Mulls Limits, Taiwan Welcomes China Tourists, CNBC, March 4, 2015, on the world wide web at http://www.cnbc.com/id/102474440.

  18. There is no written agreement and no official account of how the agreement was reached. Some believe the KMT and CCP reached the understanding during one of their inter-party dialogues that were launched in 2005.

  19. During conversations with the author, officials in Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that some countries had approached Taipei and promised to drop the PRC and switch recognition to the ROC in exchange for generous foreign aid packages.

  20. See, “Taiwan President: China Approves Island WHO Role,” New York Times, April 29, 2009 on the world wide web at http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/04/29/world/AP-AS-Taiwan-China-WHO.html?_r=2&ref=world.

  21. Robert Wood, US Department of State spokesman, announced that “we have long supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the WHO, including observer status at the WHA. We look forward to the participation of Taiwan at the WHA and the benefits Taiwan’s public health expertise will bring to the international community.” See, “Taiwan President: China Approves Island WHO Role,” New York Times, April 29, 2009 on the world wide web at http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/04/29/world/AP-AS-Taiwan-China-WHO.html?_r=2&ref=world.

  22. See Ralph Jennings, “China Opens UN Door to Old Foe Taiwan,” Christian Science Monitor, September 24, 2013, on the world wide web at http://www.csmonitor.com

  23. [6] Report to Congress, p.484.

  24. Ibid., p.470.

  25. See Brett V. Benson and Emerson Niou, “The Effect of Foreign Policies on Domestic Opinion and National Security,” Paper delivered at the 22nd Annual Taiwan Studies Conference, Taiwan and the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Prospects and Challenges for Trade Diplomacy, Center for Asian Studies, Walker Institute for International and Area Studies, University of South Carolina, September 20–21, 2014.

  26. See Wendell Minnick, “China Hikes Budget Amidst Corruption Fight,” Defense News, March 9, 2015, on the world wide web at http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/budget/2015/03/08/china-budget-increase-military-corruption-loyalty-pla-xi-jinping/24492021/.

  27. Much to their surprise, protesters were arrested immediately when they occupied the Executive Yuan.

  28. Alan D. Romberg, “The Times The Are A Changing,” China Leadership Monitor, Number 46. March 19, 2015, on the world wide web at http://www.hoover.org/publications/china-leadership-monitor.

  29. See “Taiwan President Says China Ties ‘Back to Normal’ After Protests,” Bangkok Post, April 8, 2015, on the world wide web at http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/522347/

  30. See Ricky Yeh, “Over Dependence on China Will Doom Taiwan,” The Diplomat, August 16, 2014 on the world wide web at http://thediplomat.com/2014/08/over-dependence-on-china-will-doom-taiwan/.

  31. For more information on this longstanding US position, wee [8].

  32. See Testimony of Kurt M. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee in Why Taiwan Matters, Part II, October 4, 2011, on the world wide web at http://www.state.gov/p/eap/ris/rm/2011/10/174980.htm.

  33. See Ibid., p. 74..

  34. See Michele Wong, “Subtle Shifts Expected in US Policy on Taiwan,” South China Morning Post, January 24, 2009, p.5, in Lexis/Nexis.

  35. See Fost Klug, “US Intel Chief Warns Against China-Taiwan Conflict,” Washington Post, February 12, 2009, on the world wide web at http://www.washingtonpost.com.

  36. “US Welcomes Stable Cross-Strait Ties: AIT,” China Post, March 19, 2009, in Lexis/Nexis.

  37. See James B. Steinberg, “Administration’s Vision of the US-China Relationship: Keynote Address at the Center for a New American Security,” US Department of State, Diplomacy in Action, September 24, 2009, on the world wide web at http://www.state.gov/s/d/former/steinberg/remarks/2009/169332.htm.

  38. See Testimony of Kurt M. Campbell, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian Affairs, in Asia Overview: Protecting American Interests in China and Asia. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Washington DC, March 31, 2011, on the world wide web at http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2011/03/159450.htm.

  39. See “US Lawmakers Reportedly Favor Economic Links,” Taipei Times, January 31, 2014, p.1, on the world wide web at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/01/31/2003582531

  40. During his July 2014 visit to Panama, President Ma discussed a wide range of topics—including Taiwan’s membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Secretary Kerry. The president also watched a World Cup Soccer match with Kerry and several other heads of state. See “Ma Meets US Secretary of State in Panama,” China Post, July 3, 2014, on the world wide web at http://www.chinapost.com.tw/print/4115514.htm.

  41. See Shih Hsiu-chuan, “US Concerned About WHO Restrictions on Taiwan,” Taipei Times, May 9, 2013, p.1, on the world wide web at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/05/09/2003561816.

  42. Statistic provided to the author by Steven Tai, Director General of the Taiwan Economic and Culture Representative Office in Atlanta, Georgia during a Q&A session at 22nd Annual Taiwan Studies Conference, Taiwan and the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Prospects and Challenges for Trade Diplomacy, Center for Asian Studies, Walker Institute for International and Area Studies, University of South Carolina, September 19, 2014.

  43. See World Trade Organization, International Trade Statistics, 2013 on the world wide web at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2013_e/its13_toc_e.htm.

  44. See Xiao An, “US’ Arms Sales to Taiwan Impede Sino-US Relationship,” China.org.cn, January 17, 2013, on the world wide web at http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2013-01/17/content_27716480.htm

  45. See Chen Weihua, “US Arms Sales to Taiwan Protested,” China Daily, December 22, 2014, on the world wide web at http://www.chinadaily.com.

  46. See Relations Across the Taiwan Strait: Challenges and Opportunities Under New Conditions, Panel 1, (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Center for East Asia Policy Studies and the Association of Foreign Relations, September 12, 2014).

  47. Daniel R. Russel, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, “Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, April 3, 2014,” US Department of State: Diplomacy in Action on the world wide web at http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2014/04/224350.htm

  48. Joseph Yeh, “Chief of General Staff Visited Washington: Report,” China Post, March 6, 2015, on the world wide web at http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2015/03/06/430381/Chief-of.htm.

  49. See J. Michael Cole, “New Radar Tracks North Korea Rocket: MND,” Taipei Times, December 13, 2012, on the world wide web at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2012/12/13/2003550023/1.

  50. See William Lother, “US Study Praises Taiwan’s Spywork,” Taipei Times, September 24, 2014, p.1., on the world wide web at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/09/24/2003600437.

  51. “Hearing of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: ‘Evaluating US Policy on Taiwan on the 35th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, April 3, 2014,” Federal News Service, April 3, 2014, in Lexis/Nexis.

  52. Ibid.

  53. See Office of the Press Secretary, The White House, Remarks by President Obama and President Xi Jinping in Joint Press Conference, Great Hall of the People, Beijing China, November 12, 2014 on the world wide web at https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/12/remarks-president-obama-and-president-xi-jinping-joint-press-conference.

  54. For more information on Taiwan’s policy, see [12]

  55. See “East China Sea Peace Initiative lauded by US official,” Portal of ROC (Taiwan) Diplomatic Missions, February 10, 2014, on the world wide web at http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ct.asp?xItem=473382&ctNode=2237&mp=1.

  56. See “Taiwan President Says China Ties ‘Back to Normal’ After Protests.”

  57. See Jason Pan, “Legislators Slam Military Downsizing,” Taipei Times, March 14, 2015, p.3.

  58. Michael Pizzi, “What’s Next for China-Taiwan Relations?” Al Jazeera America, February 15, 2014, on the world wide web at http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/2/15/what-s-next-for-chinataiwanrelations.html

  59. See Shih Hsiu-chuan, “US-Taiwan Ties Safe Amid Cross-Strait Talks: AIT,” Taipei Times, September 6, 2014, p.3, on the world wide web at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/09/06/2003599131.

  60. Ibid.

  61. See William Lowther, “Campbell Urges US, PRC Not to Meddle,” Taipei Times, March 14, 2015, p.3.

  62. William Lowther, “US has ‘strengthened’ relationship with Taiwan: Clinton,” Taipei Times, March 9, 2012, on the world wide web at www.taipeitimes.com.

  63. William Lowther, “Taiwan-US Ties Stronger than Ever: AIT Chairman,” Taipei Times, May 14, 2014, p.3, on the world wide web at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/05/14/2003590315.

  64. Daniel R. Russel, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, “Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, April 3, 2014,” US Department of State: Diplomacy in Action on the world wide web at http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2014/04/224350.htm

  65. See William Wan, “Full Transcript o Interview with Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou,” Washington Post, October 24, 2013, on the world wide web at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/full-transcript-interview-with-taiwanese-president-ma-ying-jeou/2013/10/24/e430ceb0-3ce0-11e3-b6a9-da62c264f40e_story.html.

  66. See “Ma Lauds Robust Taiwan-US Relations,” Taiwan Today, March 16, 2015, on the world wide web at http://www.taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem+228289&CtNode+1730.

  67. Ibid.

  68. “KMT Denies Ex-US Officials Claims,” Taipei Times, April 2, 2012, p.3, on the world wide web at www.taipeitimes.com.

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  1. Political Science Department, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 65897, USA

    Dennis V. Hickey

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Hickey, D.V. Parallel Progress: US-Taiwan Relations During an Era of Cross-Strait Rapprochement. J OF CHIN POLIT SCI 20, 369–384 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11366-015-9355-1

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